Summary

Every so often people encounter incredible situations that only the most courageous individuals can triumph over. The books in this series celebrate the human spirit and provide the true stories of people who faced impossible conditions and survived.

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-With a wonderful variety of graphics, photos, and maps, this book brings the story of the Essex to life. In 1820, the ship sank in the Pacific after being rammed by a whale. Fine recounts how the men were stranded in three small whaleboats and describes what they did to stay alive, including eating the flesh of those who died. She writes in a straightforward style, clearly describing the events that took place without any fictionalization. Interesting details based on survivors' accounts are included. The information is broken up by boldfaced headlines. This easy-to-read, high-interest title will appeal to browsers and serve as an excellent resource for reports.-Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.